Founded in 1993 by brothers Tom and David Gardner, The Motley Fool helps millions of people attain financial freedom through our website, podcasts, books, newspaper column, radio show, and premium investing services.

Drop in Unemployment Rate Sends Stocks Higher

Positive news is emerging from the jobs market.

A stronger-than-expected jobs report from the Department of Labor has sent stock markets surging higher today. The U.S. economy created 165,000 jobs in April, and the unemployment rate fell to 7.5% -- the lowest level since 2008. Both numbers beat estimates, and adjustments to March and February numbers added another 114,000 jobs. As a result, the DowJones Industrial Average(DJINDICES:^DJI) is up 0.89% and the S&P 500(SNPINDEX:^GSPC) has risen 0.96%.

Alcoa(NYSE:AA) is one of the leaders on the Dow, climbing 2.2% today. The company announced a $275 million investment in a Tennessee plant to increase aluminum-sheet production for the auto industry. It also said it was considering shutting down 11% of its aluminum-smelting capacity because of weak demand. Aluminum prices have fallen to a level that makes this a prudent move, and with 13% of capacity already sitting idle, it would save the company money without hurting revenue.

General Electric(NYSE:GE) is up 1.3% after the Federal Trade Commission gave the OK to its $3 billion acquisition of Lufkin Industries. GE is trying to increase exposure to the oil and natural-gas shale boom in the U.S., and this was a piece of that strategy.

One company not enjoying the day's gains is JPMorgan Chase(NYSE:JPM), which has fallen 1.1%. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is looking into the company for possibly manipulating energy markets. JPMorgan once had a sterling reputation, but it's coming under heat from a number of regulators, and this is another caution sign investors should be worried about.